GI Blue Grass Stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) returned to the work tab Sunday morning for trainer Chad Brown ahead of an expected next start in the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24. The $2.3m FTSAUG grad, last seen second to another 'Rising Star' and champion in Fierceness (City of Light) in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes July 27, covered a solo half mile in :49 flat over the Oklahoma training track.
“He worked super,” said Brown. “He's come out of his last race well and I'm happy with where he's at.”
The Jim Dandy marked Sierra Leone's first start with a ring bit under Flavien Prat. He had also been training solo ahead of that start.
“It's an area of his training that he's kind of graduated into,” added Brown. “He's got a lot of experience now and fitness, so at this stage of his career, it seems to be working good for him. We'll see where it takes us. For right now, he's fine doing that. We're very much so on target for the Travers.”
Also breezing over the weekend was champion Idiomatic (Curlin) for Brad Cox who went five furlongs in 1:00.40 (3/12) Saturday morning. She'll target a title defense in the GI Personal Ensign Stakes Aug. 23.
“Really good breeze on the Oklahoma. She will have one more before the Personal Ensign,” Cox said.
'TDN Rising Star' Showcase (Uncle Mo), a winner in Saturday's GII Saratoga Special, rebounded well from his efforts Sunday according to Todd Pletcher.
“He's excellent. He looked really good this morning,” said Pletcher. “We will play it by ear [where to run next].”
After Saturday's race, Pletcher indicated that the GI Hopeful Stakes Sept. 2 may be a little quick back. He said he may prefer to wait until the fall and stretch out in the either the GI Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct or the GI Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.
The same races are also under consideration for Tenacious Leader (Not This Time), who graduated at second asking Saturday.
“I thought that was good,” said Pletcher. “We knew he'd appreciate stretching out. It allowed him to get into a good rhythm. He finished up well. We were happy.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
